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Post by organichead on Sept 23, 2007 23:48:26 GMT 10
Well it was only eight days ago that the missus mentioned the idea of a caravan to go with our 1963 beetle, Stan. I dismissed the idea out of hand, why would we when we have a kombi camper for the hols. But the thought of another wee project got me thinking. I'm about to start the internal fit out of the kombi and its always nice having a string of ideas whizzing around before you actually get to them. So it seems only natural to create a queue. So now we are the proud owners of a 1950's ish bondwood caravan in the blink of an eye. We bought the one listed in the forsale forum under "bondy relisted on ebay".I have no idea if its a good or bad deal but the work required doesn't look to unrealistic and anyway every project should have learning curves. I just hope it's not a hairpin!. It was fate that the vv was for sale only 40mins away from our home in the Blue Mountains I just hope Stan has the bananas to get Daphne up the steep inclines we have here. Look forward to boring the pants of you all with very tedious, obvious questions. I will endever to research the forums but I can't promise nout. Pics to follow when picked up in a week or so. Just to show you all my extensive knowledge of vv's here's my first Q. Can anyone tell me what I've bought apart from the fact that it's a caravan?. Thanks folks. Looking forward to the experience.............................org.....................................
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Post by Deleted on Sept 24, 2007 9:16:32 GMT 10
Hi Organichead
There is a bloke from the blue mountains that tows a teardrop caravan with a 1200 beetle. Greg .....better known as "VeeDub nut" here on the forum. The little bug handles the Teardrop Ok. Teardrops are small egg shaped vans and are not much bigger than a box trailer. Hence they are light and offer minimal wind resistance. Ideally suited to smaller cars. Not sure what your Dak Dak has in it but i would recommend at least a 1600 twin port with a bit of work done to it if you plan on towing a ply van any bigger than 10ft. Especially if you have kids and a heap of thier gear to cart with you on Hols.
Other issue is brakes. Its one thing to get things rolling along but its a bigger problem to make things stop in a hurry. I have had a few Bajas and the wife had a superbug at one stage. Even with a disc brake front end they take some stopping.
Finally your Volksey will need a towbar and from what ihave seen they arent a real srtrong setup. Given that these old vans can have quite heavy "Towball weight" you may need to consult a mechanical engineerr and get a specially designed towbar to handle weights of around 50 to 80kg. Towball weight is the downward weight excerted on the towball . eqaully as imprtant when considering towing heavy loads.
Not trying to discourage you from getting involved in vintage vanning you just need to be aware that the bigger vans weigh upwards from 500KG and full laden with all the holiday goodies they can be up towards the "magic Tonne'
Regards Reddo
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Post by 0rganichead on Sept 25, 2007 0:53:50 GMT 10
Thanks guys for the immediate advice. After posting the hi thing the other night I awoke at 1am in a cold sweat........my brain had suddenly made connection with reality " how the bloody hell was I going to tow the "thing" with a 1963 beetle". I went staight to the forums and found the answer. What a twat. Anyway the deal is done and I'm not one for going back on a gentlemans agreement even though I ain't paid yet. So just to take things to an even more rediculus level can I replace the chassis with something a tad (lol) lighter?. Do you all consider that this, if it's possible, would interfier with the integrity of the vans heritage. Thanks folks, I said it would be a learning curve, I was just expecting to get it first!!! .....org the unready............
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Post by Roehm3108 on Sept 25, 2007 17:58:15 GMT 10
Hi Org (not game to ask how you arrived at that handle ;D ;D) I have to agree with JBJ on that one. It might be worth talking to the guy to see if you can still get out of the deal, or else sell it on ebay again and hope you can get your money back. I really loved veedubnut's rig at Coledale last year - his beetle and TD - both had the same curves (and curves are VERY important ;D) If you wanted something bigger, have a look at bigdidda's Propert up your way - it has the advantage of being able to stand up in it, which the TD doesn't. As well, its weight is right down there - generally maxes out at about 400 kg loaded. And look at the crazy things you can do to it (see mine in the SE QLD gathering thread) Maybe not everybody's colour scheme, but I had fun doing it and enjoyed the ribbing I got. Wait till they see what I will do with the interior Cheers Ray
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Post by Deleted on Sept 25, 2007 20:14:03 GMT 10
Hi O/H How old is the Kombi??? If shes a real old split window barn door job why not shop for an auto tent that fits off the side or back and head along to some of the east coast get togethers we have. That way ya can check out all the different styles of old vans. ask the owners a bit about them and get a feel for the whole vintage van scene . Not all of us are into "the inhalation of herbal vegetable matter " but we will have a beer with you and the cook to make you feel welcome You will go away with a much better idea of what suits you best. I aint got no problem with Kombis except when i come up behind one on a single lane hwy.... Rollin' roadblocks. Dont ever take me seriuos mate. ;)Kombis have done some pretty amazing trips over the past 5 decades. ;D Reddo
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Post by organichead on Sept 25, 2007 23:12:00 GMT 10
OK, thanks to you all for your advice and sentiments. So, the deal is I shall collect the van and repair her to original. I need another project (lol) and before I even start I would love to join up with you lot to extend my knowledge even though we will arrive vanless. Is that allowed? .ha. I shall now runaway from this thead and enter the technical arena where I look forward to posting some more daft questions. Reddo, no offence ever taken from this end. People type stuff and it's very easy to get the wrong end of the stick when you can't see them. Lifes to short..........to get stuck behind a bloody kombi. Won't be me though, I'll pitch her into a ditch to allow good traffic flow, but sit up my rear end (phnarff) and I'll stop the world from getting to B.
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Post by surfncam on Sept 27, 2007 16:31:50 GMT 10
Hey Org', Nice to see a fellow KC member (aka rolling road block) here. I'm sure I'll see you in the technical section. I take delivery of my van early next week and with the bus waiting for a rub down then paint I'm hoping to get stuck into it in the next few weeks. Make and model are yet confirmed but some very helpful people here very much like the KC. If you have a look around here you'll also find Ash's bus and van that was at klubfest, very inspirational and after chatting with him at klubfest for a very long time you'll see that anything is possible with your caravan. I'll definatly be adding the resto of the van to "resto corner", keep your eye on it there or here. Cam...
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